Make Something of It

“To make bread or love, to dig in the earth, to feed an animal or cook for a stranger – these activities require no extensive commentary, no lucid theology. All they require is someone willing to bend, reach, chop, stir. Most of these tasks are so full of pleasure that there is no need to complicate things by calling them holy. And yet these are the same activities that change lives, sometimes all at once and sometimes more slowly, the way dripping water changes stone. In a world where faith is often construed as a way of thinking, bodily practices remind the willing that faith is a way of life“.~ Barbara Brown Taylor

Thank you, Charissa, for this beautiful quote.

I began my morning reading this, a beautiful piece by Anne Lamott, in Parade magazine. I continued my morning smiling, pausing during housekeeping chores to read Tweets and scan Instagram photos of Americans expressing gratitude for their families, food, health, babies, traditions, and all these things we love to gush about this time of year. I gush too. It feels good to succumb to the vulnerability of holiday sappiness–a deep, deep inhale of goodness that will, over time, breathe out in an exhale affecting others.

Hunting for pinecones for her own little Thanksgiving table

I am a feeler, an analyzer, an overanalyzer, a sap, a fixer, a learner and a lover. During not only this sentimental time of year but during this time of my life when I am young and healthy and aware that we are indeed blessed compared to so many others in the world that suffer and find happiness in dismal circumstances, I try to make sense of how to be grateful and aware and proactive and compassionate all at once.

In our country tomorrow, there will be many prayers–whispers of thanks, sighs of awareness, pleas for help, and quiet breaths of recognition offered to higher powers, inner selves, the earth, God, family, and the great big universe that unites us all.

My simple prayer is this:

Take what I’m feeling right now–this abundant love, this awareness of good, this thankfulness for family and food and home and connection, this enthusiasm for life, this interest in people and their stories, this hunger to create, this pain for others’ suffering, this body that yearns to nurture and dance and do and see, this love for babies, this attraction for words and feelings and the desire to string them together and put them on paper, this silly joy for colors and textures and pretty things, these beautiful questions about faith, this painful vulnerability, this ability to learn, this past, this present and this future…and let me make something beautiful of it, every day. Let me find meaningful ways to use it, share it and give it away. Let me never ever waste it.

That felt good to write. So, a Selah for good measure.

She spotted a bird.

And I am ever so thankful for the moment last night when I caught Brett eating a taco and watching a Hallmark Christmas movie with Florence Henderson…I mean a football game. Oh God, I am so dead.

This little blog community…whether you celebrate Thanksgiving or not, thank you for reading and sharing and being a part of this space. What a great big Thanksgiving table scene this community would create.

Pass the stuffing.

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In celebrating community, motherhood and creative sharing, I’m happy to introduce our new sponsor, Isobel of Holden On Baby.

First time mama, graphic designer, writer, sharer, style curator, you name it–Isobel pours her creative heart into her blog and her work, leaving an inspiring impression. The first time I found her, I scrolled through post after post, bookmarking new discoveries for baby boy and creative living.

Her graphic design portfolio is growing as well, so if you’re interested in streamlining your blog or website and making it stand out to express your style and personality, contact her about using her talents!

Holden On Baby was also recently named one of Babble’s best blogs for beautiful baby photography. Check her out for some wonderful creative mama inspiration. Sister’s got style and heart and many great ideas.

So many amazing women sharing what they have to give–I freaking love the way the Internet makes it possible for us to connect.

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Adding after several commenters asked: The teepee was a gift from a Florida mama. Her Etsy shop is PlayHaven. We haven’t had it for long, and it has already been loved; made magical moments.

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Friends…enjoy tomorrow. Take all that gushy gratitude and make something of it. Share what you have to give.

Yet another amazing, inspiring and heartfelt post Kelle. We don’t ‘celebrate’ Thanksgiving here in Australia but we {as in everyone all over the world} can be thankful and grateful today. And not just today but everyday. Thank you for helping others see the beauty in our every days. xhttp://blog.scissorspaperrockdesigns.com.au/

Kelle~I am thankful for so many things. But on your blog, I will simply post one…I am thankful for your willingness to share your life with us. I do not know you, but I know that if we ever met, we’d have an absolute BLAST! I look forward to reading your blog. I cry with your blog…but most often I smile (or laugh). You have a true gift, giving all that you have for your family while giving us a glimpse into your life to inspire the rest of us to achieve our true potential. Our littles are a month apart and I have followed your blog since mine was born in December 2009. You kept me going in those late nights/early mornings when all I wanted was sleep. I am thankful for YOU! Keep up the amazing work! XO

What a beautiful prayer Kelle.Your one wild and precious life has been a true blessing,and with a bit of flour on my hands and a grateful heart I thank you! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.~ Wendy

Wow! You are amazing! I love the way you’re able to weave your words and thoughts together…it’s what I am truly feeling in my heart, thank you Kelly and Happy Thanksgiving to you and your little wonderful, amazing family!

Thanks for “sharing what you have to give.” I truly appreciate what you do here, in this space. You have inspired me to write more, to feel more, to love more…and today, to share more. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Kelle and family, I want to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving! I am thnakful for you sharing this blog with myselk and so many others that look forward to your blog. You have an amazing way with words, photographing and showing all how to be a good mom. Thank you.

Thank you, Kelle, for continuing to inspire me in many ways. You’re like the (not by much) older sister that I never had. You have inspired me to write again and get back into photography again. I continue to enjoy every one of your blog posts because you have trulthfuly enhanced my life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your gift with the world.– Erin

happy thanksgiving from a reader all the way from the philippines i am thankful for your words and for your ability to share your world so beautifully with us. i have just been blessed with a son with designer genes too and my family and i are thankful for the gift of love that he has brought to us.

What a beautiful prayer, and what powerful thoughts about what we have to be grateful for. The little things. Being (sorta) young and healthy, having the desire to get up every morning and see and do and create.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your beautiful family. I’ve loved reading your blog and Bloom, and thoroughly enjoy all of the little moments you share with us on instagram. You’re such an inspiration to so many of us!!

I burst out laughing at your Selah : )Wishing you a day filled with much gratitude and joy. I am crying tonight as I type this because every time I come here you remind me to be thankful. I am thankful for you.Thank you for sharing your life with so many Kelle.

Thank you for this reminder. I was struggling with how to celebrate Thanksgiving here in Germany. Go all out even though my Germany fam doesn’t really get it? Find some Americans for a traditional feast? Forget it all together? Nothing really fit…but your “share what you have to give” resonates with me – I can do that here, today, whereever on Thanksgiving. Happy Day to everyone!

I love your posts.You have a gift for putting your thoughts into words.I am grateful i found your blog.It lifts me up,makes me happier. Thank you Kelle and a Happy Thanksgiving to you all the way from India ♥

Hi Kelle,I love your blog, I discovered it recently and I dig the generosity, the open-mindedness, the ‘seize the hour, seize the day’ spirit, the kiddos pictures and so on…Here is what I have to share on this beautiful Thanksgiving Day (I wish we had this tradition over here in France, it IS magical to be grateful!):http://picturinwords.wordpress.com/Valerie

Just wanted to send Happy Thanksgiving wishes from Canada! You inspire me to try to live authentically in so many little ways and I am grateful to have found your blog. p.s Thank you also for introducing me to Momastery.

I don’t know if you have time to read each and every comment, Kelle, but on the outside chance that you do. . . there’s something I want you to know. I am a recovering addict. Addiction. . . to anything and everything. . . has been a way of life for me. . . FOR YEARS AND YEARS. Recently, in and through a drug induced mind fog, I realized that I’m not really living. . . I’m not fully alive. Oh sure, I get up daily and sort of go through the motions, but I haven’t really been livin’ – the kind of livin’ you and your beautiful family do daily. I’m happy to report that I got help. I’m in recovery. And you and your blog are keeping me there. I can’t start my day until I read from your blog. It gives me the courage, the beauty, the optimism I lack internally to “do life” without using. I fully believe that God is using you in huge. . . HUGE. . . ways. . . ways you probably know nothing of. Currently, I am reading Bloom, and I want to thank you for being brave enough to write your “real” “raw” “truth”, because it’s helping me to live my “real” “raw” “truth”. I firmly believe that everyone should have a Nella in their life. But since most of us aren’t that blessed, I’d like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing yours with all of us. God Bless you and your entire family, Kelle. Daily.

I always loved the idea of Thanksgiving, unfortunately here is not used to celebrate it, and it’s not so easy to set the day free because everything else around you is going on. But I like to see how you americans celebrate it and I pick up ideas for the next years: maybe one day I’ll celebrate it too..

Wow, seeing my name included in one of your beautiful posts is an honor. I’m glad you liked the quote too – it’s teaching me how…simple loving people can be if I’m open to serving in all the small ways (now to just live that lesson more consistently. Ahh). Happy thanksgiving :).

good gravy can’t believe i’ve missed this many. i’m kind of in love with that tent. wishing i could just make my bed a twinkly light hide out. so very sweet! you are making it magical momma. they are going to have such sweet memories!

I would love to know where you purchased or how you made the garland hanging from your fireplace in your Christmas post. It is my girls first christmas and this just screams cozy and cute! Thanks, Deonna

I absolutely love your blog and have recently started following you on Instagram…I spent one night reading almost all of your entries on here, and I am not usually a blog reader.

I am moving a way from my hometown in less than a month (grew up & went to college her)and am ready to start my new life. I often get hung up on all the details of moving and finding a job; it can be very stressful and draining at times.

You and I are at different stages in life as I am 23 and just starting out (I do eventually want a family of my own), yet your attitude about life is refreshing and inspiring to me. Your type of positivity is what I am aiming for in my life. Your down-to-earth attitude and ability to live in the moment allow me to relate to you and want to be a better person. You remind me that no matter what happens in life, things are going to be okay. Thank you for writing!